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MLB 2K8 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

  01:24 AM - February 26, 2008 by Steve_OS
Matt Blumenthal had an opportunity to demo Major League Baseball 2K8 this afternoon. His official writeup of the event will be up later this week, but we wanted to get some quick thoughts up here for you guys.
  • This game looks beautiful, the player models have improved but the real leap is in the animations. The animations move silky smooth and there is no need to worry about herky jerky animations of the past anymore.
  • I'm impressed with how intuitive and fresh the analog controls are. The pitching takes a little time to get the hang of but the new mechanics add a whole new dimension to the pitching model.
  • The baseball cards feature is surprisingly cool, expect me to have more on that later on this week.
  • In-game saves are officially in the game this year.
  • Check swings don't seem to be a chore anymore. They are now accomplished by pulling back on the right analog stick - no more right trigger necessary.
  • Stadium-specific animations are in. The Yankee Roll Call was mentioned specifically.
  • There should be plenty of foul balls this year. I saw several in the few at-bats I played.
  • No spring training games this year.
  • I counted eight unlockable classic stadiums. I think more might be available by default as well.
  • No co-op play
  • You will have the option to make trades for CPU-controlled teams in franchise mode, but you won't be able to edit their rotations and lineups.
  • It was suggested to me that the demo is done and has been submitted. If that's the case, it's in Microsoft's hands now.
  • I will hit on a few of the big questions from the forum here.

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 74 - View All
Member Comments
# 581 Ronoko @ 03/04/08 01:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoChris
Ronoko,

So your opinion is that the chopiness is not effecting the gameplay all that much?
No, it doesn't effect the pitching and batting too much for me.....fielding on the other hand is really bothersome as well as replays and some cut scenes. Basically the same as last year except it's worse. Throwing the ball from 3rd to 1st has to be like 15 fps max.
 
# 582 Heelfan71 @ 03/04/08 01:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoChris
Ronoko,

So your opinion is that the chopiness is not effecting the gameplay all that much?
it's more of a visual thing. I haven't missed a ball or made a bad play because of it yet. Pitching and hitting is fine, just when the ball is put into play
 
# 583 thextreme1 @ 03/04/08 01:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomhauertjs
Are framerate issues something that could be fixed in a patch or is it something that is too "big" of a problem?
Yea, it is too big of a problem. The thing is, it isnt like a PC where you have alot of variables. On the PC side, they could fix it. Microsoft doesnt want to open a can of worms starting with MLB 2K8, where developers feel they can release unfinished code and then finish it up in a patch. Graphically, there is nothing they can do, other than lessen the resolution even more or totally go back and rework the game engine. Which I have been convinced since 2K6, that it was last gens engine with better graphics. The framerate issues in this years game, pretty much confirm that for me.

2K never went back and rewrote a new engine for the game. They just upgraded last gens engine. At least, that is what I am leaning towards until they can prove me wrong without any graphical hitches. What happened to the 50-60fps that Ben Brinkman promised? It mustve gone the same route as the demo.

I suggest if you bought this game and cant get over the framerate issues, that you call Take 2 and demand a refund. Email them quotes from Ben Brinkman and let them know that the game doesnt represent what he said. Until gamers vote with their wallets, it seems 2K feels more than happy to pull an EA on them every year.

And... Where the hell is Microsofts quality control department in all of this? Didnt they demand 720p/2xFSAA and 30FPS as a bare minimum? Or was that just a suggestion?
It is hard to feel as if we are in the next gen when so many games these days are released with such glaring problems. Namely: Tearing, slowdown, last gen visuals, last gen gameplay and glitches.

I am sorry if I sound so down on MS and 2K, but this just tops the cake. I think it is very deceptive on both MS and Take 2's part to hold off releasing a demo and reviews, knowing that these framerate issues exist and then release the full game to the public broken. This is the crap that brought down the videogame industry in the 80's. Too many bad games amongst a few gems.

Again, sorry for venting. I hope you understand.
 
# 584 Jistic @ 03/04/08 01:24 PM
How does this years compare to 2k7?
 
# 585 RoyalBoyle78 @ 03/04/08 01:24 PM
just picked up the game, I'm on my lunch, I will play a quick game before I go back to work, I will be back with my quick impressions.
 
# 586 PhilsPhan18 @ 03/04/08 01:25 PM
Can someone with the game try turning off ball trail? One of the guys who got the game last night said he tried this and it really helped remedy framerate issues.....
 
# 587 Money99 @ 03/04/08 01:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by lived
Folks from all over the net are confirming the framerate issue. And the scary thing it's happening to lot's of sets - 720,1080,Sd etc.

Let's hope we can get this thing figured out
I don't want to jump to conclusions but we the consumer shouldn't have to figure anything out. That's why I buy consoles, so I don't have to do squat. PC gamers have always had the love/hate relationship of upgrading, tweaking, etc.
But when you buy a console it shouldn't be up to us to fix or prod to get a game working.

If this framerate issue is real and many are experiencing it then 2K should be ashamed of themselves. I can't tell you how ticked off I'm getting with their shotty programming. So many of their sports titles have bugs and issues just like this.
Do they even have a QA department?

And I'm not a fanboy of any console, company or otherwise, but for those lucky PS3 owners, why on earth would you choose any baseball game other than the Show?
I've played 07 and I've played the demo for 08. This game IS sports. Not just baseball, but pro sports. I have a hard time believing any sports game out there represents their sport better than The Show does MLB.

For 360 owners, all we can do is hope and pray that 2K gets their act together or Microsoft uses the High Heat licence to make a 1st party ball game or EA buys 2K.
Otherwise, I think it's going to be many, many years before we get a baseball game that's even in the same stratosphere as The Show.
 
# 588 Heelfan71 @ 03/04/08 01:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jistic
How does this years compare to 2k7?
looks the same, plays a bit better out of the box. Frame rate issues seem to be the biggest issue
 
# 589 alwayz0npoint @ 03/04/08 01:27 PM
CAN U PLAY OTHER TEAM GAME IN FRANCHISE MODE OR JUST UR OWN TEAM U PICKED ?
 
# 590 PVarck31 @ 03/04/08 01:27 PM
Ok guys here are my Impressions after playing one game. Default settings. PS3, ball trail off.

Negatives

-Gets choppy during fielding sometimes. I am running 720p Its not a game killer, just annoying.
-Pitching is hard, very hard. This isn't a bad thing, but some people may see it as a negative.
-Graphics took a hit. Its very Noticeable.

Honestly thats all I can think of for the bad.

Oh and by the way Indians fans. It has Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
Positives

-The areal fielding cam is the best fielding cam I have ever used in a baseball video game.
Unless its a very high pop up, you see the ball's whole flight.
-Batting is nice. Feels like you have just as much control as aiming and hitting a button.
-Hit variety. I don't think I saw 2 similar hits at all. And with the pitching being so hard they hit plenty.
-Throwing is amazing. Absolutly love it.
-Animations are smooth, lots of new ones. Some nice first basemen scoops too.
-Baserunning is much much better, just feels natural now.

Thats all I can think of for now. I will say they the frame rate holds this game back. Its not a game killer by any means though. If they can patch it it would make the game on par with the show.
The game is also just very fun.

I will be happy to answer questions for a bit.
 
# 591 Whaaaazuuuuup @ 03/04/08 01:27 PM
is the frame rate issue on the ps3 as well?...
 
# 592 FocusYoMindOnDis @ 03/04/08 01:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heelfan71
.


Really like the announcing .
Whoa, now that is something i didnt expect to hear...
 
# 593 jrod1981 @ 03/04/08 01:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bowlerguy92
My framerate is absolutely fine playing in 720p. Everything is nice and smooth.

Well thats good to hear. I'm going to be picking up this game regardless so here's to hoping
 
# 594 RoyalBoyle78 @ 03/04/08 01:28 PM
WOW, I just put the game in and try do download the new rosters, and BAM the game froze, WTF..
 
# 595 reo @ 03/04/08 01:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Money99
For 360 owners, all we can do is hope and pray that 2K gets their act together or Microsoft uses the High Heat licence to make a 1st party ball game or EA buys 2K.
Otherwise, I think it's going to be many, many years before we get a baseball game that's even in the same stratosphere as The Show.
The Show doesn't even use analog controls. LoL . . .

Back to FIFA . . .
 
# 596 PVarck31 @ 03/04/08 01:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FootballForever
WOW, I just put the game in and try do download the new rosters, and BAM the game froze, WTF..
Yep, freezing for me too. Did it take a really long time for the game to start up once you put in the disc?
 
# 597 bigfnjoe96 @ 03/04/08 01:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjv31
Ok guys here are my Impressions after playing one game. Default settings. PS3, ball trail off.

Negatives

-Gets choppy during fielding sometimes. I am running 720p Its not a game killer, just annoying.
-Pitching is hard, very hard. This isn't a bad thing, but some people may see it as a negative.
-Graphics took a hit. Its very Noticeable.

Honestly thats all I can think of for the bad.

Positives

-The areal fielding cam is the best fielding cam I have ever used in a baseball video game.
Unless its a very high pop up, you see the ball's whole flight.
-Batting is nice. Feels like you have just as much control as aiming and hitting a button.
-Hit variety. I don't think I saw 2 similar hits at all. And with the pitching being so hard they hit plenty.
-Throwing is amazing. Absolutly love it.
-Animations are smooth, lots of new ones. Some nice first basemen scoops too.
-Baserunning is much much better, just feels natural now.

Thats all I can think of for now. I will say they the frame rate holds this game back. Its not a game killer by any means though. If they can patch it it would make the game on par with the show.
The game is also just very fun.

I will be happy to answer questions for a bit.
Thanks for that quick write-up. Here's hoping the frame rate issue doesn't have anything to do with the way the game is caching with the Hard Drive. 2K is unfortunately well known for this problem.
 
# 598 bowlerguy92 @ 03/04/08 01:32 PM

My quick impressions after one game:

1. The new pitching system is fantastic. It is rewarding and punishing at the same time, and is a great new way to pitch. It took me maybe 10 minutes to figure it out. I have been throwing balls and drawing walks yes.

2. The framerate for me playing in 720p feels silky smooth the entire time.

3. Lots of new cool catching animations and throwing animations.

4. The throwing meter in the field is really nice to use. It is very responsive and actually showcases different throw styles for specific players based upon how hard you tell him to throw it. I have thrown some right to the glove, in the frigan stands, on the grass, and all over the place. This isn't an issue, I was just messing with it.

5. The graphics for me seem perfectly fine. If anything I think I see a slight improvement.

6. The player models appear to be a bit beefier in a good way. Things looked cleaned up and there appears to have been some tweaking done to the batting camera to showcase how great the players look now.

7. The crowd is about where they were last year, maybe a bit louder. In the background though you can see (at fenway anyway) Make Some Noise flashing on the jumbotron and the fans reacting to it. Just a cool little thing.

8. There have been numerous foul balls and they all look great.

9. Hmm I just CRANKED two bombs in a row for my first two runs of the game. (pro)

10. The baserunning system definately feels less clunky than the old triggers.

That's about it so far, if any of you guys have specific gameplay related questions for me I will be happy to answer them.
 
# 599 RoyalBoyle78 @ 03/04/08 01:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjv31
Yep, freezing for me too. Did it take a really long time for the game to start up once you put in the disc?
not really, but I tried to do the rosters again and it froze again, this sux...WTH man.
 
# 600 Ltrain44 @ 03/04/08 01:32 PM
ok get this. I just put the game back on my sdtv after playing on HDTV and the framerate seems better. lol, weird stuff. It only happens in the field. Pitching and batting are smooth.
 


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